Time-measuring system



s. B. WILLIAMS, JR., AND W. P. ALBERT.

TIME MEASURING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 1917.

1,337,680. Patentedl Apr. 20, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL B. WILLIAMS, JR., OF BROOKLYN, YORK, AND WALTER P. ALBERT, OF

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS T0 WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPO-RATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TIME-MEASURING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SAMUEL B. WILLIAM s, Jr., and WALTER P. ALBERT,citizens of the United States, residing at Brookl in the county of Kingsand State of State of New Jersey, respectively, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Time-Measuring Systems, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to circuit controlling devices, and moreparticularly to controlling devices, the operation of which is partiallydependent on a time element.

It is the object of this invention to provide an arrangement whereby asuitable signal will be operated after a certain electrical conditionhas been in existence for a predetermined length of time.

It is a further object of this invention to prevent the possibility ofoperating such a signal unless the condition has been in existence forthe full time predetermined.

A feature of the invention is the use of a solenoid to actuate thesignal circuit controlling device, such device being operable at auniform speed under the control of a governor.

A further feature of the invention is an arrangement by which anoff-normal contact is utilized to prevent reoperation of the deviceuntil such device has been completely restored to its normal position,and thus obviate the possibility of operating the signal before the fulltime has been measured.

It is thought that the invention will best be understood from thefollowing detailed description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing.

In the drawing is shown a device embodying the features of the presentinvention and operating circuits therefor.

The mechanical construction of the device will first be described. Ashaft 1 is rotatably mounted in any suitable manner and carries fixedlysecured to it a pinion 2 and a gear wheel 3. A pin 4 is mounted on thewheel 3 at some point near its periphery and is arranged to operatecontact springs 5 and 6 upon complete rotation of the wheel 3. A pinion7 arranged to mesh with the teeth of the gear wheel 3 is loosely mountedupon a shaft 8, such shaft being rotatably mounted ew York, and atNewark, in the county of Essex and in any suitable manner. A ratchetwheel 9 is also rotatably mounted on shaft 8 in fixed relation to thepinion 7. A gear wheel 10 is secured to shaft 8. Gear wheel 10 isarranged to drive a pinion 24 secured to a rotatable shaft 25, suchshaft 25 being arranged to operate a centrifugal governor 26 of anydesired type. Secured at a convenient point on the gear wheel 10 is apawl 11 spring -pressed into engagement with the teeth of ratchet Wheel9 by means of a leaf spring 12. A toothed rack 13 is slidably mounted inany desired manner'and is arranged to mesh with the pinion 2 and to beoperated by means of a magnetic plunger 14 controlled by a solenoid 15.The solenoid 15 is only partially shown, the broken edge indicating thatthis solenoid may be of any required length in order to allow fullrotation of pinion 2 when the rack 13 is actuated. Similarly the plunger14 is also indicated as being of indeterminate length by a broken edgefor a similar purpose. A block of insulating material 16 is mounted onthe rack 13 and is arranged to hold contact springs 17 and 18 inelectrical engagement with each other when the rack is in its normalposition. A spring 19 is provided to control the return motion of rack13. The dotted portion of the spring indicates that this spring is ofsuch length that suflicient transverse motion of rack 13 may beobtained.

If we assume that the condition, the duration of which is to bemeasured, is a ground, on conductor 20, the operation of the device willbe as follows, it being assumed that a relay 21 and a time measuringdevice, such as described, are provided for each such circuit. When aground is present on conductor 20, a circuit is completed for relay 21from grounded battery, conductor 22, closed contact springs 17 and 18,conductor 23 to grounded conductor 20. Relay 21 is energized in thiscircuit and attracts its armatures. A circuit is then completed forsolenoid 15 from grounded battery, winding of solenoid 15 to ground attheright-hand armature and front contact of relay 21. Relay 21 at itsleft-hand armature locks itself to conductor 20 irrespective of thecondition of ofl"-normal contact springs 17 and 18. The energization ofsolenoid 15 causes it to attract plunger 14, causing movement of therack and a resultant clockwise rotation of pinion 2 and gear wheel 3.Pinion 7 and ratchet wheel 9 are rotated in a coiulterclockwisedirection, and since pawl 11-is held in engagement with the teeth ofratchet wheel 9, the gear wheel 10 is also caused to rotate and operategovernor 26 to control the speed of operation of the device. If theground remains on conductor 20 for a sufiiciently long period of time,the pin 4; will complete a revolution and operate contact springs 5 and6 to complete a circult to an alarm device of any desired form to informan attendant that the condition on conductor 20 has existed for thepredetermined period of time.

When the grounded condition is removed from conductor 20 relay 21 willbe deenergized, causing in turn the deenergization of solenoid 15. Whensolenoid 15 is deenergized, rack 13 is restored to its normal conditionunder the control of spring 19.

During such return motion, wheel 3 is rotated in a counter-clockwisedirection, causing the clockwise rotation of pinion 7 and ratchet wheel9. At this time pawl 11 will ride over the teeth of ratchet 9 and wheel10 will not be rotated, and therefore the governing device will beineffective during the return movement of the rack 13.

If a ground should be present on conductor 20 for a relatively shorttime and be removed before the contacts 5 and 6 are operated, the rela21 and solenoid 15 will be deenergized as fore described and the devicewill return to normal. If ground should be reapplied to conductor 20while the device is returning to normal, it would be impossible to causethe measuring device to start reoperation from the stage of operation inwhich it was at the time when such reapplication of ground occurred,since no circuit can be found for rela 21 because the off-normalcontacts 17 an 18 are open. This insures the return of the apparatus toits normal condition before reoperation may take place and eliminatesthe possibility of is energized at the time'said conductor is in.

a certain electrical condition, means for operating said reciprocatoryelement to open said contacts and impart motion to said contactoperating member upon energize.- tion of said relay, other contacts, .acircuit therefor, and means to actuate said other contacts to close theassociated circuit after said contact operating member has been inoperation a predetermined period of time.

2. In a time measuring system, a controlling device, contacts, a clrcuitcontrolled thereby, means to actuate said contacts after saidcontrolling device has been inoperation for a predetermined period oftime, a conductor, a relay, an energizing circuit therefor, said-circuitextending to said conductor through contacts closed in the normalposition of said controlling device, means to energize said relay whensaid conductor is in a certain electrical condition, means to operatesaid controlli device while said relay is energized, a loc 'ng circuitfor said relay exclusive of said normally closed contacts, and means torestore said controlling device upon deenergization of said relay.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 2nd day ofFebruary, A. D.

SAMUEL B. WILLIAMS, JR. WALTER P. ALBERT.

